Should truck traffic be banned on some of New West’s major streets?
TransLink says no – and residents are divided on the issue.
In March, the city asked TransLink to remove Royal Avenue, East Eighth Avenue and portions of East Columbia Street and Ewen Avenue from the city’s truck route network. TransLink has nixed the request to take trucks off Royal, East Eighth and East Columbia and has deferred a decision about Ewen Avenue.
“As I read this article, I can smell/hear and feel the rumble of huge trucks driving by,” wrote a local resident on The Record’s Facebook page. “Royal Avenue has always had traffic, especially during rush hour, but the last couple of years it has become insane. It’s not even enjoyable having the windows open during the summer. My family and I are practically yelling at each other to communicate because the truck/traffic sounds are unbearable and nobody can hear each other …”
Many residents in all areas of the city have voiced concern about the increase in truck traffic and the impacts it’s having on livability. After tolls were introduced on the Port Mann, the Queen’s Park Residents’ Association wrote to the province’s transportation minister asking that the 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. truck ban on Royal Avenue be increased to 24 hours.
TransLink’s decision doesn’t come as a surprise to Brow of the Hill Residents’ Association president Matt Lorenzi, who lives on Royal Avenue and is familiar with the truck issues.
“I am not overly surprised, as are most of us. I am not happy about it. I just don’t want it to sound like we are trying to be NIMBYs. I think there are some valid concerns,” he said. “The way I look at it, the city is encouraging development along Royal. There are condos, there are schools, and at same time it is a heavily used truck corridor, not by their own doing.”
Although traffic has always been heavy on Royal Avenue, Lorenzi said he’s seen an increase in heavy trucks since tolls were introduced on the Port Mann Bridge.
“I support a tolled replacement to the Pattullo. I take it every day and I support it,” he said. “Let’s level the playing field. I think it’s got to be more fair and equitable.”
Not everyone supports the city’s position, with Dave Lundy being among those who believe TransLink made the right decision. In a comment posted onThe Record’s Facebook page, he expressed concern that the city is “talking out of both sides of their mouth” on the issue, as it’s allowed off-dock container yards to open in Queensborough but still voices concerns about increased truck traffic in the city.
